About the United States Aikido Federation (USAF) and our dojo
Aikido of New Orleans is affiliated with the United States Aikido Federation ("USAF"), which is under the direction of Yoshimitsu Yamada, 8th dan, Shihan. Through the USAF, we follow Moriteru Ueshiba, Aikido Doshu, and are connected with Aikido World Headquarters (Hombu Dojo), in Tokyo, Japan.
The USAF is the largest and most well-established Aikido federation in the United States, with many outstanding dojos located throughout the country. The USAF guides and develops the practice and instruction of Aikido as established by Aikido Hombu Dojo in Tokyo (Hombu). It establishes and maintains close contact with the Shihan (master teachers) officially dispatched as representatives by Hombu. It standardizes Aikido grading and registers dan (senior level) grades with Hombu. It develops the qualifications and requirements for the appointment of advanced teaching licenses (shihan, shidoin, and fukushidoin). It organizes and conducts Aikido demonstrations and seminars, encourages the activities of its member dojos, and researches, and studies, and publishes information and materials pertaining to Aikido. Our dojo is the local USAF affiliate and is one of the few USAF dojos located in the Gulf South.
Aikido of New Orleans was founded in 1994 as a non-profit member organization. Nathan Hills, 3rd dan, served as our Chief Instructor until September 2004. Mr. Hills was a direct student of Akira Tohei, Shihan, 8th dan, Shihan.
We offer ongoing Aikido practice at the Elmwood Fitness Center in downtown New Orleans. Visitors are welcome and new members may join the dojo at any time. Learn more about Aikido practice here and here. If you have any questions, we encourage you to come by and watch a practice. You may also contact us by email at dojo@aikidoneworleans.com.
